Rep. Katrina Pierson

Maddy summaryHB 4858 requires water districts created on or after September 1, 2025, to set aside a reasonable portion of their land for recreational facilities. These facilities must meet definitions established under Section 49.462 of the Texas Water Code. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025, applying only to new districts formed after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 4707 would allow children in Texas public schools who are "unlawfully present" in the United States (without legal immigration status) to enroll if they meet standard residency requirements, such as living with a parent in the school district or being homeless. The bill amends Texas education law to remove the requirement that students must be "lawfully present" for enrollment, while keeping existing residency rules intact (e.g., living with a parent, being in foster care, or having a guardian in the district). It directly affects undocumented immigrant children seeking K-12 education in Texas public schools, ensuring they qualify for state school funding and programs like the Foundation School Program. The bill does not address immigration status but focuses on school access and funding eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 4962, titled "Relating to the disclosure of citizenship of a candidate for public office," would require candidates for public office to disclose their citizenship status as part of their filing documentation. This requirement directly affects candidates running for elected positions at the local or state level. The bill's key mechanism involves adding citizenship verification to standard candidate filing forms, though specific enforcement details are not provided in the available context. The bill was filed on March 13, 2025, and referred to the Elections committee on April 3, 2025, but its full text is unavailable for detailed analysis.

Maddy summaryHB 4728 requires all Texas counties to use hand-marked paper ballots for every election, eliminating electronic poll lists and ending the countywide polling place program. It directly affects every county in Texas, particularly those previously exempt under Section 42.0051(a) (populations under 1.2 million not using countywide polling centers). The bill repeals the exception allowing electronic systems in certain counties, mandating paper ballots statewide. Key mechanisms include removing the countywide program exemption and requiring election officials to provide written ballot instructions and assistance options for voters.

Maddy summaryHB 4849 requires election authorities to number physical ballots consecutively starting from "1" and prohibits using electronic devices described in Section 31.014 (or network-connected devices) for ballot numbering. It also explicitly extends these numbering rules to electronic system ballots. The bill applies directly to Texas election officials preparing ballots and takes effect September 1, 2025. This is a procedural change focused on ballot numbering standards, not substantive policy.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution proposes adding a constitutional amendment to Texas law that explicitly states voters must be U.S. citizens. It would amend Article VI, Section 1(a) of the Texas Constitution to list "persons who are not citizens of the United States" as a disqualifying category for voting, alongside existing restrictions like age, mental incompetence, and felony convictions. The amendment would be submitted to Texas voters in the November 4, 2025 election, with the ballot phrasing: "The constitutional amendment clarifying that a voter must be a United States citizen." This is a procedural bill focused on clarifying voting eligibility requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Texas public schools to provisionally admit students who haven't completed required immunizations but have submitted a request for an exemption affidavit to the Department of State Health Services. It requires schools to accept documentation proving such a request was made, and mandates the health department to provide standardized receipts for all exemption requests (submitted online, in person, by mail, or fax). The policy applies to elementary and secondary schools for the 2025-2026 school year. This creates a temporary enrollment pathway while exemption requests are processed, without altering existing immunization requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 4705 requires a judge to disqualify a district or county attorney from prosecuting election law violations if they consistently refuse to pursue such cases under a policy. It allows the Texas Attorney General to step in and prosecute these cases when local prosecutors are disqualified. The law applies only to election offenses committed on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025), not past violations. This changes how election-related criminal cases are handled by shifting prosecution authority to the Attorney General when local offices have a pattern of inaction.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas's attorney general to prosecute criminal election law violations if local prosecutors do not act within six months. It mandates that law enforcement agencies send election crime reports to both local prosecutors and the attorney general simultaneously. The attorney general must then take over prosecution if local officials fail to initiate proceedings within six months of receiving the report. This applies to offenses under Texas election law, such as voter fraud or ballot tampering, and takes effect September 1, 2025. The law changes the attorney general's role from optional ("may") to mandatory ("shall") for these cases.

Maddy summaryHJR 190 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit Texas House members to 12 consecutive years in office and Texas Senate members to 14 consecutive years. The amendment would apply only to future service in the same chamber and not affect current legislators. If approved by voters in the November 2025 election, it would prevent any individual from serving beyond these consecutive term limits. The measure does not alter current terms or apply to service across different offices.